U.S. patent number 6,663,732 [Application Number 09/892,292] was granted by the patent office on 2003-12-16 for process for making an individualized puzzle collage.
Invention is credited to Donald J. Link.
United States Patent |
6,663,732 |
Link |
December 16, 2003 |
Process for making an individualized puzzle collage
Abstract
A system for making a picture puzzle collage from a collection
of individual photographs each having a picture displaying front
surface and a rear surface including a board, a plurality of
removable mating contiguous puzzle pieces that fit together in a
format to cover the board, adhesive covering the front surface of
each puzzle piece and a removable film covering each adhesive
covered puzzle piece front surface that when removed from each
puzzle piece permits the rearward surface of each of the individual
photographs to be affixed thereto and permits excess of each
photograph affixed to a puzzle piece to be trimmed away leaving
each of the puzzle pieces with a portion of one of the individual
photographs thereon, the puzzle pieces when trimmed can then be
assembled in a contiguous format on the board.
Inventors: |
Link; Donald J. (Shakopee,
MN) |
Family
ID: |
29714819 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/892,292 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
156/63; 273/156;
273/157A; 273/157R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
9/10 (20130101); B44D 3/12 (20130101); A63F
9/1044 (20130101); A63F 2009/1027 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
9/06 (20060101); A63F 9/10 (20060101); B32B
031/00 (); A63F 009/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;156/63
;273/156,157R,157A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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2430512 |
|
Jan 1976 |
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DE |
|
2643855 |
|
Sep 1990 |
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FR |
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2653350 |
|
Apr 1991 |
|
FR |
|
2256372 |
|
Dec 1992 |
|
GB |
|
2333736 |
|
Aug 1999 |
|
GB |
|
WO-01/66206 |
|
Sep 2001 |
|
WO |
|
Primary Examiner: Aftergut; Jeff H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gable & Gotwals Johnson; Paul
N.
Parent Case Text
REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS
This application is based on Provisional Application Ser. No.
60/219,969 entitled, "A SYSTEM FOR MAKING AN INDIVIDUALIZED PUZZLE
COLLAGE" filed on Jul. 21, 2000.
The application is not related to any other pending United States
or international patent applications.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of forming a picture puzzle collage from a plurality of
separate individual photographs, each having a picture displaying
front surface and a rear surface comprising; (a) providing a board
having a plurality of removable separate mating contiguous puzzle
pieces that fit together to cover at least a substantial portion of
said board, each separate puzzle piece having a circumferential
edge; (b) removing each of said separate individual puzzle pieces
from said board; (c) removing a film covering from a front surface
of each of said separate individual puzzle pieces to expose an
adhesive covered front surface of each said separate individual
puzzle piece; (d) affixing a rearward surface of each said separate
individual photograph to said adhesive covered front surface of
said puzzle piece; (e) trimming away portions of each of said
separate individual photograph photographs extending beyond each of
said separate individual puzzle piece's circumferential edge; and
(f) replacing said separate individual puzzle pieces each having a
trimmed separate individual photograph adhered thereto to said
board in a mating contiguous relationship.
2. A method of making a puzzle collage according to claim 1
including, after step (e) the step of shaping said circumferential
edges of said separate individual puzzle pieces.
3. A method of making a puzzle collage according to claim 2
including the step of coloring said circumferential edges of said
separate individual puzzle pieces after said circumferential edges
are shaped.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Making collages is a popular hobby. Generally speaking, a collage
involves the random placement of irregular shaped cut-outs of
pictures, photographs and other graphic materials to create a theme
or a storyboard. The typical collage is formed of hand made
cut-outs that are placed adjacent to each other or assembled
together with irregular gaps between the pieces. The appeal of a
collage is based on the irregular-shaped depiction of different
scenes, different pictures or different events that, when compiled
together, form a story or set a theme that is pleasing to the
eye.
Another highly popular and enjoyable pastime that has endured for
generations is assembling puzzles. The typical puzzle is different
from a collage in that a puzzle is usually formed of preciously cut
interlocking pieces that when assembled form a complete autogenous
picture. Puzzles are readily commercially available and are
generally constructed by printing a high quality photograph or
drawing onto a cardboard base and stamping out the individual
puzzle pieces with a steel rule die. Puzzles can be made of thicker
material by continuous cutting such as with a scroll saw or jigsaw
to create varying numbers of interlocking puzzle pieces. A well
made puzzle when assembled has pieces that interlock so preciously
that the individual puzzle pieces do not distract a great deal from
the quality of the picture when the puzzle is completed.
Taking photographs is another hobby that is enjoyed by a high
percentage of people throughout the world. The most common means to
memorialize an event such as a wedding, a family reunion, a
vacation trip, Christmas or other holiday party, and virtually
every other type of event that is meaningful to people, is by the
use of photographs. Most such photographs are made by the
participants although for some occasions such as weddings,
commercial photographers are frequently employed. In any event,
irrespective of the source, photographs are a common way to help
people remember a time, place or event. For this reason,
photography has enjoyed perpetual popularity from the time it first
became available to the purchasing public.
The invention herein provides a way for an individual to use these
three highly popular hobbies together--that is, making collages,
assembling puzzles and memorializing events or experiences with
photography.
The invention herein provides a system for forming a collage of
individual puzzle pieces each having thereon a portion of an
individual photograph in a manner making it easy and convenient for
an individual to produce a memorable lasting display--that is, a
collage, a puzzle and a photographic record of a place or
event.
Others have provided somewhat similar concepts and for background
information about the creative efforts of others in this field,
reference may be had to the following previously issued United
States patents:
U.S. Pat. No. INVENTOR TITLE 2,586,039 Heggedal Combination Display
or Supporting Board and Attaching Parts 3,364,598 Cook Composite
Pictures 3,574,017 Kass Ornamental System 3,854,726 Balder Screened
Photograph Puzzle 4,586,714 Lenkoff et al. Puzzle Game 5,149,570
Cain Peel-Off Puzzle 5,156,698 Roberts Integral Packaging for
Puzzle Postcard and Other Products and Method of Making 5,232,088
Leondidis Greeting Card Puzzle Kit 5,865,928 Larivierre, Jr. et al.
Photographs and Other Graphic Materials Custom Cut into
Interlocking Puzzle Shapes to Construct a Collage-Puzzle
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system for making a puzzle using
personal photographs. One aspect of the invention can be practiced
by providing a kit that an individual can utilize for making a
puzzle in which each of the individual puzzle pieces is a part of a
photographic collage. The kit typically contains a puzzle board
having removable puzzle pieces; a pin knife, a fingernail-type file
and a felt tip marker. A further item that may be included is a
piece of glass, masonite, or similar item to serve as a cutting
board.
Further, the present invention provides a method of making a puzzle
picture collage from a collection of individual photographs each
having a picture displaying front surface and a rear surface. Such
collection of photographs can typically arise as a result of
pictures taken on a vacation, trip, at a wedding, anniversary,
birthday and so forth. To practice the method, a board A is
provided having a plurality of removable mating contiguous puzzle
pieces that fit together to cover at least a substantial portion of
the board. Each puzzle piece has a circumferential edge. To
initiate the sequence of steps to practice the invention, the
puzzle pieces are first removed from the board.
A next step in making the picture puzzle collage is to remove a
film covering from a front surface of each of the puzzle pieces to
expose an adhesive covered front surface. The film may typically be
a transparent plastic film that is held in place by the adhesive
front surface of each puzzle piece but that is easily removed from
the adhesive front surface without disturbing the adhesive which
remains secured to the puzzle piece front surfaces.
Thereafter, a next step in the method is to affix a rearward
surface of an individual photograph to the adhesive covered front
surface of each puzzle piece. This is accomplished by pressing each
photograph onto a puzzle piece so that a portion of the photograph
extends beyond the full circumferential edge of the puzzle
piece.
A next step in the method is to trim away portions of each
photograph secured to a puzzle piece that extends beyond the puzzle
piece circumferential edge. This can effectively be done with a
knife or with small scissors. Thereafter, the edge of the puzzle
piece may be shaped such as by the use of sandpaper. After shaping,
the edge may, if desired, be colored.
After carrying out the sequence of steps on each of the puzzle
pieces, the puzzle pieces are then placed back onto the board in
their original positions so that they contiguously mate together to
cover at least a substantial portion of the board.
A better understanding of the invention will be obtained from the
following description and claims taken in conjunction with the
attached drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a typical puzzle having a board base
providing a border with die stamped interlocking puzzle pieces of
irregular shape. In the preferred practice of the invention, the
puzzle board of FIG. 1 would be one item in a kit that a customer
could buy for assembling an individualized puzzle collage.
FIG. 2 is an isometric view showing a user pulling a cover film
from an adhesive surface of one of the pieces taken from the puzzle
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a user holding a photograph up to a light and
placing the puzzle piece of FIG. 2, having the adhesive cover
removed, on the back of the photograph. The light enables the user
to know the portion of the photograph that will be within the
confines of the outline of the puzzle piece. After the picture is
positioned properly with respect to the puzzle piece, the picture
is pressed firmly against the puzzle piece, the adhesive serving to
secure the puzzle piece to the back of the photograph.
FIG. 4 illustrates a user utilizing a pen knife (commonly known as
an "Exacto Knife") or a similar cutting knife, preferably one
having a sharp point, to cut away portions of the photograph
exterior to the puzzle piece--that is, cutting the photograph to
conform to the shape of the puzzle piece. Cutting is preferably
performed on a hard object so that the point of the knife will not
penetrate through to cause damage to an underlying surface. For
this reason, a kit supplied to a consumer for making an
individualized puzzle collage could include a hard surface such as
a piece of glass or masonite or other inexpensive material that can
be discarded after the individualized puzzle collage is
complete.
FIG. 5 shows a user shaping the edges of a puzzle piece having a
photograph thereon. Shaping is preferably performed utilizing a
file such as a fingernail file and particularly utilizing a type of
fingernail file that has a form core--that is, a resilient backing,
so that the file will readily conform to the edges of the
puzzle.
FIG. 6 shows the user coloring the edges, preferably a beveled
edge, as formed on the puzzle piece.
FIG. 7 shows the last step in the process wherein puzzle pieces,
each having an individualized photograph thereon are positioned in
the puzzle. When all pieces are assembled in the puzzle, the border
as provided will present an individualized puzzle collage that will
be a truly unique work of art and that may be framed or otherwise
displayed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The invention is preferably practiced by making available to users
all of the essentials necessary for the user to make an
individualized puzzle collage--that is, by supplying everything
required except individual photographs that the user will provide
for making the collage. The first and basic item of a kit (as
illustrated in FIG. 1) a board puzzle generally indicated by the
numeral 10. The board puzzle 10 has the appearance of a standard
board puzzle and is usually made of heavy cardboard. The board
puzzle typically includes a backing 12 and a front portion 14 that
is cut or more typically die stamped to form cuts or channels 18 to
form the pieces 16. Surrounding the puzzle pieces 16 as an integral
part of front portion 14 is a border 20, the border A being
typically secured to backing 12 while the puzzle pieces 16 are not
secured and therefore can be individually removed from board
10.
Board puzzle 10 has the appearance of a typical puzzle except that
the surfaces of puzzle pieces 16 may or may not have pictures or
other printing thereon. The puzzle pieces can be provided with
printing or coloring or designs to make the board 10 pleasingly
acceptable however, the printing on the front of the cover piece 16
will be irrelevant as to the finished individualized puzzle collage
that results from the invention.
Board puzzle 10 is an item manufactured in the same way that
similar board puzzles are made today with the exception that the
top surface of each puzzle piece is covered with adhesive and over
the adhesive is a pull-off film. FIG. 2 shows a puzzle piece 16
having been removed from board puzzle 10, and showing the hand 22
of a user pulling off a cover film 24 from the top surface of the
puzzle piece. When the cover film 24 is removed from the top,
adhesive covered surface 26 of puzzle piece 16 is fully
exposed.
The next step in the method of employing the system of this
invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows a left hand 22 and
right hand 28 of a user in which user's left hand is shown holding
piece 16 of FIG. 2 with the adhesive covered top surface fully
exposed behind a photograph 30 held by the user's right hand. A
light source 32 is shown indicating that with the puzzle piece 16
adjacent to and behind photograph 30 the user can position the
photograph with respect to the puzzle piece so that the preferred
portion of the photograph is within the boundary of the puzzle
piece, the outline of the boundary being made visible through
photograph 30 by light source 32. When the user has determined the
most desired position of photograph 30 relative to puzzle piece 16,
the picture is pressed against the puzzle piece. The adhesive
surface of the puzzle securing the puzzle piece to the back of
photograph 30.
The next step (as illustrated in FIG. 4) shows the photograph 30 as
secured to puzzle piece 16 positioned on a cutting board 34. The
cutting board 34 is representative of a firm surface such as a
piece of glass, masonite, or any other object that would provide a
firm surface to prevent a table surface 36 (on which the cutting
board is placed) from being damaged. The user holds the photograph
and puzzle piece with his left hand 22 and in his right hand 28
holds a pen knife--that is, a knife having a long handle 38 and a
blade 40, the blade preferably having a pointed end 42. The knife,
made up of handle 38 and blade 40, is of the type commercially
available under the trademark "EXACTO". This kind of knife is
well-known and used by hobbyists, particularly model airplane or
model ship builders or for similar purposes in which an artist
needs to make fine cuts on an object. Here the knife is used to cut
away photograph 30 along the edge 44 of puzzle piece 16. Edge 44 is
the edge of the photograph formed when the puzzle board 10 is
manufactured and is the same as the cuts or channels 18 as seen in
FIG. 1.
Typically in manufactured puzzles, the edge 44 is formed as a die
cut. The user draws knife blade 40 along the entire circumferential
perimeter of puzzle piece 16 so that the portions of photograph 30
extending exteriorly of the puzzle piece perimeter are fully cut
away.
FIG. 4 shows the puzzle piece 16 with its back surface against
cutting board 34 as the photograph 30 is trimmed. A better way is
to place the photograph 30 against the surface of the cutting board
34 so that knife blade 40 is more easily guided around the edge 44
of the puzzle piece to cut away discarded portions of the
photograph. Either way, the puzzle piece will have an appearance
(as indicated in FIG. 5) in which the puzzle piece has a portion of
a photograph covering the top surface, the photograph being secured
in place by adhesive 26 (as seen in FIG. 2). In FIG. 5, numeral 46
indicates a picture covered puzzle piece.
When the excess photograph is removed from the peripheral edge of
the puzzle in the step illustrated in FIG. 4, the edge will be
sharp--that is, the photograph will be even with or perhaps extend
slightly beyond the peripheral edge 44 of the puzzle piece. To
shape the picture covered puzzle piece 46, a file 48 is employed.
File 48 can be a sandpaper-type file such as a typical fingernail
file. A type of fingernail file that is particularly useful is the
type that has a foam backing (readily commercially available) so
that the surface of the file is somewhat pliable. Further, the file
48 is preferably round or semi-round--that is, not flat. A file
having a rounded exterior filing surface works better because of
the concave portions of puzzle piece edge 44.
Step 5 is indicative of providing a beveled edge on the picture
covered puzzle piece 46 to simulate the normal beveled edge on the
typical puzzle piece.
After the edge 44 has been beveled around the full periphery, the
beveled edge can be colored. Coloring is not a mandatory step but a
step that enhances the finished product. FIG. 6 shows the user
holding picture covered puzzle piece 46 in his left hand 22 and in
his right hand 28 holding a color marker 50 that typically has a
felt tip 52. Edge 44 of the picture covered puzzle piece 46 may, in
this way, be colored. The edge 44 may be colored white, black or
any other color in which felt tip markers 50 are readily available.
Coloring the edge 44 of the picture covered puzzle piece is an
optional step but is indicative of one that enhances the complete
product.
FIG. 7 shows the completion of the picture covered puzzle piece 46
with the circumferential edge 44 beveled and colored (if that is
the desire of the user) and the piece completed and thus, ready to
be assembled into the puzzle board within border 20.
Each piece of the puzzle is treated (as shown in the steps of FIGS.
2, 3, 4, 5 and 6) so that each piece has portions of a different
photograph thereon. The photographs are assembled by the user to
provide, when the project is finished, an individualized picture
collage to display scenes that typically have a common theme, such
as a wedding, birthday party and so forth or scenes of a place that
has been visited such as national park or scenes that represent a
vacation or trip. When the project is finished and all pieces of
the puzzle have been covered with a picture, the edges beveled and
colored and the pieces are assembled back into the puzzle in the
sequence (as shown in FIG. 1), the puzzle can be framed or mounted
without framing as desired.
Another way of practicing the invention uses the following: an
Exacto knife 38; a flat glass of approximate size 8".times.8"34; a
fingernail file 48; a light source such as house lamp 32; a pencil
or pen (not shown); a magic marker 50; puzzle pieces 16; and photos
30. First, select a number of photographs including some extras.
All the puzzle pieces are then marked on the back side "top" and
numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. Each photo should be marked "top" and
numbered to ensure a proper match between the puzzle pieces and the
photos. Take a numbered puzzle piece and hold it in front of light
source, such as a house lamp, with the adhesive side facing you and
the numbered side (or the back side of the puzzle piece) facing the
light. Place the photograph on the puzzle piece and adjust the
photo on the puzzle piece for proper alignment. After proper
alignment is achieved, holding the photo and the puzzle piece
together, lay the photo and the puzzle piece down with the photo
face down. Then mark the photo on the back side with a pencil or
pen on all four corners plus mark the photo on the back side with
the puzzle piece number.
After all the photographs have been selected and marked to
correspond with the puzzle pieces start with the #1 puzzle piece.
Place photo #1 face down on a clear piece of glass. Take puzzle
piece #1 and remove the plastic cover from the adhesive side of it.
Holding puzzle piece #1 at a slight angle, touch one edge of puzzle
piece #1 down, lining up two of the four location marks (made
earlier). When puzzle piece #1 is properly lined up, lay it down on
the back of the photo. Firmly press down on the puzzle piece to
ensure a good bond between the photo and the puzzle piece. Pick up
the puzzle piece (the photo is now bonded to puzzle piece). Hold
the photo and puzzle piece up to the light source and confirm that
the photo is properly positioned. Repeat this process for each
photo and puzzle piece.
When all the puzzle pieces have photos attached and bonded to them,
take photo and puzzle piece #1 and lay them down on the piece of
flat glass with the photo on the bottom, that is, against the
glass. Using the knife, lay the edge of the blade against the
cardboard edge of the puzzle piece and trace around the puzzle
piece with the knife, trimming away the over hanging portions of
the photo. When this step is completed, the photograph will have
the exact shape of the puzzle piece. Repeat this process for all of
the other puzzle pieces.
All the photographs should be in the shape of the puzzle pieces.
Sand the edges of the combined photo and puzzle pieces. Holding
puzzle piece face up (photo up) sand or roll the edges as
illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. This will ensure that the
photo bonded to each cardboard puzzle piece will have a smooth,
flush finish. The edges of each completed puzzle piece can then be
colored using a magic marker as shown in FIG. 6.
The invention has been described in which only one surface of each
puzzle piece has an adhesive covered surface 26 (as seen in FIG.
3). In an alternate embodiment of the invention, each puzzle piece
16 can be provided with both a top and a bottom adhesive covered
surface. Each of the top and bottom adhesive covered surfaces being
covered by a removable cover film 24.
This alternate embodiment of the invention offers two options. In
one option, both sides of each puzzle piece are covered with film.
The user can follow the process as described with reference to
FIGS. 2-7 and before each picture covered puzzle piece 46 is
inserted back onto the backing 12 of the board puzzle, the
protective film on the bottom surface can be removed so that when
each puzzle piece 46 is placed in position, it is permanently
secured to backing 12. In this way the completed individualized
picture collage will remain intact--that is, no pieces will be
removable that could be lost or misplaced. Another option for using
the alternate embodiment of the invention is to apply different
pictures to the backside of each puzzle piece. In this way, the
same puzzle board 10 can be utilized to provide individualized
puzzle collages of two completely separate places or events. For
instance, if both sides of the puzzle pieces are provided with
adhesive the user can place on the front surface pictures relating
to one common theme (such as a wedding) and on the back surface
pictures relating to a different theme (such as a honeymoon or a
vacation trip). In this way, the user can reverse the puzzle pieces
and completely change the theme of the individualized puzzle
collage. When the second embodiment is used to place photographs on
both sides of each puzzle piece, the puzzle itself must be designed
so that the puzzle pieces fit when reversed. This can easily be
accomplished by making the border edge of the assembled puzzle
pieces rectangular rather than curved (as shown in FIG. 1) or the
puzzle can be specifically designed so that even with an irregular
border (as shown in FIG. 1) the puzzle can be assembled with the
pieces reversed to fit back into the border 20 of the puzzle
board.
The commercial application of the invention is preferably in the
form of a kit that includes the puzzle board of FIG. 1, the pen
knife 38, 40 of FIG. 4, a small cutting board 34, a file
(particularly a fingernail type sandpaper file 48 and most
particularly one having a resilient convex a, surface) and a felt
tip marker 50. In this way, everything required except the
collection of photographs are together in one kit ready to be
employed for making an individualized puzzle collage.
The claims and the specification describe the invention presented
and the terms that are employed in the claims draw their meaning
from the use of such terms in the specification. The same terms
employed in the prior art may be broader in meaning than
specifically employed herein. Whenever there is a question between
the broader definition of such terms used in the prior art and the
more specific use of the terms herein, the more specific meaning is
meant.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of
particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the
details of construction and the arrangement of components without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is
understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set
forth herein for purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited
only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the
full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is
entitled.
* * * * *